Glass break detector

ABSTRACT

A glass break sensor can optionally include a sensor unit sized and shaped to fit between panes of a glass, such as in a multi-pane window. The sensor unit can optionally include a sensor, a glass break detector circuit configured to input from the sensor and declare a glass break event when specified criteria are satisfied, and a wake-up circuit configured to detect a wake-up event and wake up the glass break detector circuit when one or more wake up criteria are satisfied. A glass break detector assembly can optionally include a first pane, a second pane and a glass break sensor between the first pane and the second pane.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This Application is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 15/471,769,filed Mar. 28, 2017, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Glass break events can be detected for a variety of reasons. Forexample, unauthorized entry into a home or other building can sometimesbe detected with a window break detector that is triggered when anunauthorized entrant breaks a glass window to gain access to a building.

Reliability can be a problem with intrusion sensors such as window glassbreak sensors. False alarms can be disruptive and costly, as responsesto window break alarms can range from occupant response to an auditoryalarm to automated calls to police or other authorities.

OVERVIEW

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that aproblem to be solved can include the construction of a reliable andpower efficient glass break sensor that detects glass break events withminimal false alarm events. The present subject matter can help providea solution to this problem, such as by inserting or integrating sensorcomponents between panes of a window or other multi-pane glass object.

An example glass break detector assembly (Example 1) can include a firstpane, a second pane, and, a glass break sensor between the first paneand the second pane.

In Example 2, the glass break detector assembly of Example 1 canoptionally include a wake-up circuit configured to process input fromthe glass break sensor and initiate a detector circuit when one or morespecified wake-up criteria are satisfied.

In Example 3, the glass break detector assembly of Example 1 or 2 canoptionally include the one or more specified wake-up criteria includedetection of a sound that has a frequency within a specified frequencyrange and has an amplitude that exceeds a threshold.

In Example 4, the subject matter of any one or any combination ofExamples 1-3, can optionally be configured such that the one or morespecified wake-up criteria include detection of an acceleration.

In Example 5, the subject matter of any one or any combination ofExamples 1-4 can optionally be configured such that the one or morespecified wake-up criteria include detection of a pressure change.

In Example 6, the subject matter of any one or any combination ofExample 1-5 can optionally be configured to include a detector circuitconfigured to declare a glass break event when one or more glass-breakcriteria are satisfied.

In Example 7, the subject matter of any one or any combination ofExamples 1-6 can optionally be configured such that the glass breaksensor includes a sound detector and the one or more glass-breakcriteria include a first sound having a first frequency within a firstfrequency range and an amplitude exceeding a first threshold, followedby a second sound having a second frequency range and an amplitudeexceeding a second threshold.

In Example 8, the subject matter of any one or any combination ofExamples 1-7 can optionally be configured such that the second frequencyrange is higher than the first frequency range. In an example, the firstsound is a thud, which can suggest a blunt impact, and the second soundis a shrill sound, which suggest that glass is breaking or falling.

In Example 9, the subject matter of one or more of Examples 1-8 canoptionally be configured such that the glass break sensor furtherincludes a pressure sensor. The one or more glass-break criteria caninclude a pressure change that exceeds a threshold.

In Example 10, the subject matter of any one or any combination Examples1-7 can optionally be configured such that the glass break sensorfurther includes an accelerometer, and the one or more glass-breakcriteria further include an acceleration that exceeds a threshold. Invarious examples, pressure information, acceleration information, orboth, can be used as a primary glass-break sensor, by a wake-up circuitto activate a sound sensor or other sensors, or by a wake-up circuit forconfirmation of an wake-up event detected by other sensors, or by aglass break detection circuit for confirmation or fusion with otherglass-break sensors (e.g. to complement or confirm acoustic sensor.)

In Example 11, the subject matter of any one or any combination ofExamples 1-10 can further include a solar cell and a rechargeablebattery coupled to the solar cell and configured to power the detectorcircuit.

In Example 12, the subject matter of any one or any combination ofExamples 1-11 can further include a battery bay configured to receiveone or more batteries. The battery bay can be electrically coupled tothe detector circuit and configured to power the detector circuit.

In Example 13, the subject matter of any one or any combination ofExamples 1-14 can optionally include a communication circuit configuredto communicate glass break information over a wireless network. Invarious examples, the wireless circuit can be configured to communicatewith a panel, hub, or a mobile device such as a tablet or phone over alocal wireless network, such as a WiFi, Zigbee, Zwave, Thread, orBluetooth network, or over a longer distance network such as a cellularnetwork or satellite network. In an example, a glass break sensorassembly is combined or integrated with a door open sensor. In anexample, a glass break sensor assembly is configured to communicate witha controller that is configured to auto-lock doors or other objects whena glass break is detected, or turn on cameras or other sensors, or sounda speaker or other alert when a glass break is detected.

In Example 14, the subject matter of any one or any combination ofExamples 1-13 can optionally be configured such that the first pane andsecond pane are part of a microwave oven, and the glass break detectoris configured to detect an event in the microwave oven.

A glass break detector (Example 15) can include a sensor unit sized andshaped to fit between panes of glass, for example between panes of aglass window. The sensor unit can include a sensor, a glass breakdetector circuit configured to receive input from the sensor and declarea glass break event when specified criteria are satisfied, and a wake-upcircuit configured to detect a wake-up event and wake up the glass breakdetector circuit when one or more wake up criteria are satisfied.

In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15 can optionally beconfigured such that the sensor is an acoustic sensor. The sensor unitcan optionally be configured to also include a pressure sensor. Theglass break detector circuit can optionally he configured to declare aglass break event using both sound information from the acoustic sensorand pressure information from the pressure sensor.

In Example 17, the subject matter of Examples 15-16 can optionally beconfigured such that the sensor unit further includes a rechargeablebattery configured to power the glass break detector circuit and thewake-up circuit. In some examples, a solar cell configured to charge therechargeable battery can also be included.

In Example 18, the subject matter of any one or any combination ofExamples 15-18 can optionally be configured to include a lower-powercommunication circuit configured to communicate a glass break event overa wireless network.

Detecting a glass break event (Example 19, e.g., a method, or a circuitexecuting instructions, or instructions embedded on a computer readablemedium) can include sensing acoustic information between panes of glassusing an acoustic sensor circuit, evaluating the acoustic informationusing an evaluation circuit, and declaring a glass break event (such asa window break event) when the acoustic information satisfies one ormore specified criteria.

In Example 20, the subject matter of Example 19 can optionally includeevaluating the acoustic information includes monitoring for a firstevent that satisfies one or more wake-up criteria, and when the one ormore wake-up criteria are satisfied, evaluating the acoustic informationfor a second event that satisfies one or more glass-break criteria.

In Example 21, the subject matter of Example 19 or 20 can includesensing pressure information between the panes of glass using a pressuresensing circuit, and waking up the sensor circuit when the pressureinformation satisfied specified pressure criteria.

In Example 22, the subject matter of any one or any combination ofExamples 19-21 can optionally include sensing pressure informationbetween the panes of glass using a pressure sensing circuit, andevaluating the acoustic information can optionally include evaluatingthe pressure information in combination with the acoustic information todetermine whether to declare a glass break event.

An example (e.g., “Example 23”) of subject matter (e.g., a system orapparatus) can optionally combine any portion or combination of anyportion of any one or any combination of Examples 1-22 to include “meansfor” performing any portion of any one or any combination of thefunctions or methods of Examples 1-23, or a “machine-readable medium”(e.g., massed, non-transitory, etc.) including instructions that, whenperformed by a machine, cause the machine to perform any portion of anyone or any combination of the functions or methods of Examples 1-23.

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter ofthe present patent application. It is not intended to provide anexclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detaileddescription is included to provide further information about the presentpatent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralscan describe similar components in different views. Like numerals havingdifferent letter suffixes can represent different instances of similarcomponents. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, butnot by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the presentdocument.

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an example assembly thatincludes two or more glass panes and a glass break detector.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the glass panes and glass breakdetector shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example glass break detector 300.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example glass break detector thatincludes a low power wake-up circuit and a glass break detector circuit.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart that illustrates an example method that includesdetecting a glass break event.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustration of an example method that usespressure information and acoustic information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A glass break detector can be constructed by placing one or more sensorsbetween the panes of glass, such as between panes of a multi-panewindow. This space between the glass panes in a window or other objectprovides an opportunity to increase the reliability of detection and byfiltering out random noises or loud music and other types of sounds thatcan be false-detected as a glass breaks. This filtering effect by theglass panes can enable more accuracy of detection, longer battery life,or both.

In various examples, a sensor for a glass break detector can be placedbetween glass panes that can filter or otherwise reduce ambientenvironmental conditions, such as ambient sound or pressure variations.Glass and plastic, and acrylics (e.g., Plexiglass™, for example, arenatural filters for sound, pressure, and sometimes light. This reductionof ambient stimulus can increase the specificity of a glass breakdetector. For example, when a sensor is placed between panes of glass,an ambient sound or vibration will be reduced in magnitude. Consideringa glass break event as a signal and ambient sounds as “noise”, theplacement of a sensor between panes of glass can provide a higher signalto noise ratio at the sensor, which can result in higher sensitivity,specificity, or both, in detecting a glass break event. In addition, thereduced occurrence of wake-up events can lead to longer battery life dueto less frequent activation of a glass detection circuit or process.

One or more circuits can be used to monitor and declare a glass breakevent. The one or more sensing circuits can include, for example, anacoustic (sound) sensor, a barometric (pressure) sensor, anaccelerometer, a magnetometer, or other sensors. In some examples, alow-power wake-up circuit is configured to detect a wake-up event thatindicates that a glass break event might be occurring, such as a suddenchange in pressure, or an acceleration, and initiate action (e.g.,gathering and processing of sensor data) by one or more sensors circuitsor a detector circuit. The detector circuit can be configured to declarea glass break event when one or more glass-break criteria are satisfied.In other examples, a single processor both monitors for a wake-up event,which can trigger more power intensive processing to assess whether aglass break event has been detected by a sensor or combination ofsensors.

A glass break event can be detected by the glass break circuit usinginformation from a sensor or a combination of sensors, based on one ormore predetermined glass break criteria. The glass break criteria caninclude a sound that has a frequency within a specified frequency rangeand has an amplitude that exceeds a threshold. The glass break criteriacan also include a sudden change in barometric pressure, which can occuras a result of an impact on a glass pane (compressing gas between panes)or as a result of a fracture of a glass pane. The glass break criteriacan also include a shift in the wavelength or amplitude of light, whichcan be caused by damage to a pane of glass or activity near the panewindow. The glass break criteria can also include a shift in a detectedmagnetic field, which can indicate movement with respect to the earth'smagnetic field, or movement with respect to a magnet, such as a magnetthat is installed as part of a security system. The glass break criteriacan also include an acceleration (which can indicate movement of thewindow or an object (e.g. door) to which the glass pane is attached.Acceleration can be detected using an accelerometer.

In some examples, the glass break criteria can include a sequence ofevents. In an example, the glass break criteria can include thedetection of a first sound having a first frequency within a firstfrequency range and an amplitude exceeding a first threshold, followedby detection of a second sound having a second frequency range and anamplitude exceeding a second threshold. For example, the glass breakcriteria can include a dull “thud” sound (which can be indicative ofblunt impact) followed by a shrill sound (which can be indicative of aglass pane shattering). This dull-shrill sequence can be detected, forexample, by defining a first frequency range detection threshold, and asecond frequency detection threshold that is higher than a firstfrequency range detection threshold, and monitoring for the detectionsto occur in sequence (i.e. first, then second.) In some examples, aglass break detector is configured to wake-up, detect, and verify a“thud”, followed by confirmation of a break using an acoustic sensor anda circuit that processes the sound information from the acoustic sensor.This implementation can provide desirable reliability characteristics.

In some examples, the glass break criteria can be selected as a functionof the material or size of a window or other pane of glass. For example,a large window breaking will sound different than a small window. Theglass break criteria can account for this difference by definingcriteria that include time (duration of sound), frequency, rate ofchange of sound, amplitude, or other characteristics.

In a multi-sensor example, the glass break criteria can include a shiftin barometric pressure coupled with (i.e. shortly before or after orcoincident with) a sound or combination or sequence of sounds. In someexamples, information from a barometer or accelerometer can be used toconfirm a wake-up event detected by an acoustic sensor.

In an example, a first sensor can be used to assess one or more primaryglass-break criteria, and a second sensor can be used to assess one ormore secondary glass break criteria that are used to confirm a glassbreak event when the first glass-break criteria are satisfied. In anexample, pressure or acceleration or both can be used as a primaryglass-break criteria, and acoustic information is used to confirm anevent detected using the primary glass-break criteria. In anotherexample, acoustic information is used as primary glass-break criteria,and pressure or acceleration or both are used to confirm a detectedglass-break event. In other examples, a suite of sensors can be usedtogether (“sensor fusion”) to detect a glass break event using criteriathat involves detection through multiple sensors in predeterminedperiods of time or sequences and exceeding predetermined thresholds.

The detector circuit can be configured to declare a glass break eventwhen one or more glass-break criteria are satisfied, and communicate theglass break event by sending a wired or wireless communication signal,emitting a sound or light, or otherwise sending a signal. In someexamples, the glass break detector circuit can send a signal, or triggeraction by a system, to take some action such as sending a messagethrough a network (e.g., through the internet), auto-locking doors orother physical assets, turning on a camera, or sounding speaker orspeaker system to send an alarm or send a message (e.g., “intruder” or“you have been detected”).

The glass break detector can be configured into any object that includesa plurality of glass panes, such as a glass window in a home or otherbuilding, or an apparatus such as a microwave oven. Due to the smallsize of sensors, the glass break detect can be hidden on the edge of apane so as to be cosmetically attractive, or not visible to a thief whootherwise might try to avoid or disable the sensor.

An illustration of an example glass break glass assembly is provided inFIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration that shows anassembly 100 that includes a frame 105 and two or more glass panes 110,115. A cross-sectional view is provided in FIG. 2. A glass breakdetector 120 can be placed between the glass panes 110, 115. Theplacement between the panes can be advantageous because the panes filterout physical phenomenon such as sound, pressure waves, and, in someinstances wavelengths of light, especially when one or more of the glasspanes are tinted. The glass break detector 120 can detect a glass breakevent using information from one or more physical sensors, such as anacoustic sensor, barometric sensor, light sensor, accelerometer, ormagnetometer.

In some examples, a glass break detector can be manufactured into aglass by placing the glass break detector, or a sensor component of theglass break detector, between window planes as the window is assembled.In some examples, a portion of the window break detector, such as abattery bay, can be built into or onto the frame (or some othercomponent) of the window, as opposed to placement between glass. Forexample, a system can be configured with a replaceable battery situatedin a battery bay that is accessible from an inside of the window.

In other examples, a pre-existing window can be retrofit with a glassbreak sensor by drilling a hole 125 or slot in the window frame to allowfor insertion of the window break detector, or a sensor componentthereof, into the space between two panes. For example ¼inch by 1 inch(6mm×25 mm) slot can be formed to enable insertion of a glass breaksensor into the window. Smaller sizes and other form factors are alsopossible. The hole can be sealed with a plug and a rubber adhesive. Adesiccant can be provided to neutralize any water content that entersthe space between the window panes.

While the illustrations show a two-pane assembly, an assembly thatincludes three or more glass panes is also possible. A glass breakdetector 120, or portion thereof (e.g. sensor circuit) can, for example,be placed between an outer pane and a pane adjacent to the outer pane(e.g., the between the outer and middle pane in a 3-pane window), todetect an impact or fracture at the outer pane. A sensor adjacent anouter pane can be more sensitive than a sensor on an inner pane of athree-pane window, due for example to more immediate proximity to thefirst pane to break (when intrusion occurs from outside) or a pressurespike in the space between the outer and middle pane. In anotherexample, a glass break detector (or portion thereof, e.g. a sensorcircuit) can be placed between an inside pane and an adjacent pane,which can reduce false alarms that can occur when an object, such as atree branch, bird, or other object, hits an outside pane of a window. Insome examples, multiple glass break sensors can be used. For example, ina three-pane window, a sensor can be placed between an outer and middlepane, and between an inner and middle pane. In some examples, multiplesensors can be placed in a space between two glass panes. In someexamples, a glass break detector circuit can apply logic usinginformation from the two or more glass break sensor circuits todetermine whether a glass break event has occurred. In some examples, asingle glass break detector circuit can process information receivedfrom a number of sensors. In another example, multiple glass breakdetectors can communicate with each other, or with a master circuit, tocombine sensed information and determine whether a glass break event hasoccurred.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example glass break detector 300. Amicroprocessor 305 can be coupled to one or more sensors. While onemicroprocessor is shown, configurations with multiple microprocessorsare possible, as described below in reference to FIG. 4. The glass breakdetector 300 can include one or more sensors that can be operativelycoupled via wired or wireless connections to the microprocessor. Forexample, the glass break detector 300 can include one or more of abarometer 310 to sense pressure and pressure changes, a magnetometer 315to detect magnetic fields and field changes, an accelerometer 320 todetect acceleration from motion, and a sound input 325, i.e. acousticsensor, to detect sound waves. The glass break detector can also includea power source 330, such as a battery. The battery can, for example,include a “coin” or “button” form factor battery, or a AAA type batteryintegrated into a battery bay. The batteries can be rechargeable,replaceable, or both. Alternative current (AC) power sources are alsopossible, but practically less convenient. The glass break detector 300can also include an energy harvester 335, such as a solar cell, ormechanical energy harvester. The glass break detector 300 can alsoinclude a radio transceiver 340 coupled to antenna 345 to enable theglass break to detector to send a wireless signal, e.g. WiFi, Bluetooth,or Zigbee, to a supporting system such as an alarm system, home securityhub, or mobile device (e.g., smart phone.)

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example glass break detector 400 thatincludes a low power wake-up circuit 410 and a glass break detectorcircuit 405. A sensor 415 can be coupled to the wake-up circuit 410. Thesensor 415 can be an acoustic (sound) sensor, a barometric (pressure)sensor, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, or another type of sensor.

In an example where the sensor 415 is a barometric sensor, the sensor415 can be a barometric sensor that detects a pressure change and sendsa pressure change signal to the wake-up circuit that receives thesignal. When the pressure change signal exceeds a threshold, the wake-upcircuit wakes up the glass break detector circuit 410, or one or moresensor circuits. For example, a wake-up circuit can initiate activity bythe glass break detector circuit 410 to activate or otherwise controlone or more sensor circuits, gather incoming sensor information from thesensor circuits, or process the incoming or recently received sensorinformation to assess whether a glass break event is occurring orrecently occurred.

The wake-up circuit 405 and glass break circuit 410 can both be poweredby the same power source 420, such as a rechargeable battery that canoptionally be coupled to an energy harvesting circuit (not shown in FIG.4), such as a solar cell or mechanical energy harvester. In analternative configuration, the wake-up circuit and glass break detectorcircuit can each be powered by their own power source (not shown), suchas separate dedicated batteries, with life cycle and power deliverycharacteristics tailored to the power requirements of the respectivecircuits.

In some examples, configuring a glass break detector 400 with separateglass break detector circuit 410 and wake-up circuit 405 can providelongevity advantages, as the glass break detector circuit tends toinvolve more processing activity and greater power consumption than thewake-up circuit, which can be configured to consume very low power.

The glass break detector circuit 410 can be coupled to a sensor 425. Thesensor can be an acoustic (sound) sensor, a barometric (pressure)sensor, an accelerometer, a magnetometer, or other types of sensors. Insome examples, multiple sensors can be coupled to the glass breakdetector circuit. The glass break detector can execute instructions toprocess information from the sensor 425, and optionally additionallyfrom the sensor 415 or other sensors, to determine whether a glass breakevent is occurring or has recently occurred.

The glass break detector circuit 410 can be coupled to a radiotransceiver 430 that can be coupled to an antenna 435. In an example,when the glass break detector circuit declares 410 a glass break event,it can send a signal through the radio transceiver 430 and the antenna435 to alert a security system, hub, mobile device (not shown) or othersystem or device to provide a notification that a glass break event hasoccurred.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart that illustrates an example method 500 thatincludes detecting a glass break event. At step 505, information issensed between glass panes. The sensing can include, for example,sensing information using any of the sensors and techniques describedabove, such as detecting ambient information between the glass panesusing an acoustic (sound) sensor, a barometric (pressure) sensor, anaccelerometer, a magnetometer, or other sensors. Information can alsooptionally be sensed from other locations on a glass not between thepanes of glass, such as from an accelerometer or magnetometer mounted ona window frame. At step 510, a processor executes instructions to assesswhether predetermined wake-up criteria have been satisfied. In someexamples, the processor can adapt the wake-up criteria over time basedon a history or pattern of sensed information, which can, for example,increase the sensitivity of the sensor of the criteria based on time ofday (e.g. more sensitive at night), or raise or lower thresholds basedon the occurrence of near-threshold activity that did not result in aglass break event.

If a wake-up event is not detected, the process returns to step 505 andcontinues monitoring sensor information. If a wake-up event is detected,a glass break detection circuit or acoustic sensor circuit (or both) isactivated at step 515.

Additional information is optionally detected at step 520. Alternativelyor additionally, previously-collected information is retried from amemory, such as the information that triggered the wake-up event orother sensor information collected shortly before or after or coincidentwith the wake-up event.

At 525, the information collected from sensors between the glass panesis evaluated against glass break criteria to assess whether a glassbreak event has occurred. In an example, a processor receives incominginformation from a sensor, retrieves sensor information from a memorycircuit, or both, and executes instructions to determine whether glassbreak criteria, such as the various criteria discussed above (e.g., asound over a threshold or series or sequence of sounds satisfyingthreshold and frequency range criteria, or a pressure change, lightchange, acceleration, and magnetic field change). If a glass break eventhas not occurred, an event is not declared, and the glass breakdetection circuit deactivates, i.e. goes back to a low-power “sleep”mode, and the process returns to step 505. In some examples, the process500 optionally first returns to step 520 and cycles through adetection—evaluation process for a defined period of time or number ofcycles or until sensed ambient activity falls below a predeterminedthreshold, and then eventually returns to step 505, and returns thedetection circuit to sleep mode, if a glass break event is not detected.

If a glass break event is detected, the process moves to step 530 and aglass break event is declared. At step 535, a signal is sent tocommunicate the glass break event. In various examples, a wireless orwired communication is sent, a sound is emitted, or a light is emitted.In some examples, responsive action such as activation of a camera,auto-locking of doors, or activation of a security system is initiated.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustration of an example method that usespressure information and acoustic information. At 605, pressureinformation is sensed between panes of glass, such as between panes of aglass window. At step 610, sensed pressure information is evaluated toassess whether one or more wake-up criteria have been satisfied. Thewake-up criteria can include, for example, a shift in pressure thatexceeds a threshold, or a pressure reading that exceeds a threshold(high pressure) or falls below a threshold (low pressure.) At 615, aglass break detector circuit or acoustic sensor circuit or both areawakened, i.e. activated from a low power state to a high power state inwhich information can be gathered and processed. At 620, acousticinformation is sensed between panes of glass, using an acoustic sensorcircuit. The method can be particularly effective between panes of glassbecause of the sound-filtering properties of glass, which can enableincreased sensitivity and specificity of glass-break detection using theglass-break criteria.

At 625, sensed acoustic information is evaluated against predeterminedglass-break criteria. Step 625 can optionally include evaluation ofpressure information or other sensed information, in combination withacoustic information. If a glass-break event is not detected, theprocess returns to step 605 and the glass break detector circuit isdeactivated. Similar to the discussion with respect to FIG. 5, theprocess can optionally include assessment of sensed information againstthe glass break criteria for a defined period of time or number ofcycles or until sensed information falls below a threshold (e.g. soundsdiminish), before deactivating the detector circuit. When a glass breakevent is detected, a glass break event is declared in the detectorcircuit, and a signal, such as a sound, light, wired, or wireless signalis sent to communicate the glass break event to a security system,person, or to an intruder. The methods 500 and 600 of can be combined toprovide various example methods using the variety of sensors andtechniques discussed above.

The various devices and techniques described above can be combined witha glass break detector that is not situated between panes of glass. Forexample, a glass break detector can be mounted or adhered to a window orwindow frame using an adhesive or other physical connection.

The various methods and devices described above can be utilized toprovide a combined door and window sensor in a door that has a window.For example, combined door and window detection system can include anaccelerometer or magnetometer that can detect movement of a door,indicating that it has been opened or broken, and a glass break detectoras described above, which can include, for example, an acoustic sensoror other sensors situated between the panes in the widow and configuredto detect breaking of a window pane.

Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can becombined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of theother examples.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred toherein as “examples.” Such examples can optionally include elements inaddition to those shown or described. However, the present inventorsalso contemplate examples in which only those elements shown ordescribed are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplateexamples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown ordescribed (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to aparticular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect toother examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or describedherein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and anydocuments so incorporated by reference, the usage in this documentcontrols.

in this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “inwhich” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device,article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements inaddition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemedto fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the followingclaims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merelyas labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements ontheir objects.

Method examples described herein can be machine or computer-implementedat least in part. Some examples can optionally include acomputer-readable medium or machine-readable medium encoded withinstructions operable to configure an electronic device to performmethods as described in the above examples. An implementation of suchmethods can optionally include code, such as microcode, assemblylanguage code, a higher-level language code, or the like. Such code canoptionally include computer readable instructions for performing variousmethods. The code can form portions of computer program products.Further, in an example, the code can be tangibly stored on one or morevolatile, non-transitory, or non-volatile tangible computer-readablemedia, such as daring execution or at other times. Examples of thesetangible computer-readable media can optionally include, but are notlimited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, removable opticaldisks (e.g., compact disks and digital video disks), magnetic cassettes,memory cards or sticks, random access memories (RAMs), read onlymemories (ROMs), and the like.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. Otherembodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to complywith 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description,various features can be grouped together to streamline the disclosure.This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosedfeature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter canlie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on itsown as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that suchembodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations orpermutations. The scope of the invention should be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

1. (canceled)
 2. A system comprising: a multiple-pane window assemblyincluding a first cavity bounded at least in part by first and secondpanes of the window assembly; and a sensor in communication with thecavity and configured to detect a break in the first or second pane ofthe assembly.
 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a solar cellcoupled to the window assembly and configured to provide a power signalto the sensor.
 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising: a detectorcircuit configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor andconfigured to use the sensor signal to determine whether the first paneor the second pane is broken; wherein the solar cell is configured toprovide the power signal to the detector circuit.
 5. The system of claim2, further comprising a mechanical energy harvesting circuit coupled tothe window assembly, the mechanical energy harvesting circuit configuredto generate a power signal from movement of a component of the windowassembly and the mechanical energy harvesting circuit configured toprovide the power signal to the sensor.
 6. The system of claim 5,further comprising: a detector circuit configured to receive a sensorsignal from the sensor and configured to use the sensor signal todetermine whether the first pane or the second pane is broken; whereinthe mechanical energy harvesting circuit is configured to provide thepower signal to the detector circuit.
 7. The system of claim 2, whereinthe sensor comprises a pressure sensor that is configured to detect apressure change in the first cavity.
 8. The system of claim 2, whereinthe sensor comprises an acoustic sensor that is configured to detectsounds in the first cavity.
 9. The system of claim 2, wherein the sensorcomprises a light sensor that is configured to detect a change in awavelength of light in the first cavity or to detect a change in anamount of light in the first cavity.
 10. The system of claim 2, whereinthe sensor comprises a magnetic field sensor that is configured todetect a change in a magnetic field.
 11. The system of claim 2, whereinthe sensor comprises an accelerometer that is configured to detectmovement of a part of the multiple-pane window assembly.
 12. A glassbreak detector comprising: a first sensor configured to be provided in acavity that is defined at least in part by opposed surfaces of first andsecond panes of a window, the first sensor configured to provide a firstsensor signal indicating a property of the cavity; and a detectorcircuit configured to receive the first sensor signal from the firstsensor and determine whether the first pane or second pane is damagedbased on the property of the cavity indicated by the first sensorsignal.
 13. The glass break detector of claim 12, further comprising asolar cell coupled to the window and configured to provide a powersignal to one or both of the first sensor and the detector circuit. 14.The glass break detector of claim 12, further comprising a mechanicalenergy harvesting circuit configured to provide a power signal to one orboth of the first sensor and the detector circuit, and wherein themechanical energy harvesting circuit harvests energy from movement ofthe window.
 15. The glass break detector of claim 12, further comprisinga wake-up circuit configured to detect a wake-up event based oninformation from the first sensor or from a second sensor and initiatethe detector circuit in response to the wake-up event.
 16. The glassbreak detector of claim 15, further comprising the second sensor,wherein the first sensor is a pressure sensor configured to provide apressure signal indicating a pressure in the cavity, and wherein thesecond sensor is an acoustic sensor configured to provide acousticinformation indicating a potential window pane damage event.
 17. Theglass break detector of claim 12, wherein the first sensor comprises oneor more of: a pressure sensor that is configured to detect a pressurechange in the cavity; a light sensor that is configured to detect achange in a wavelength or a change in an amount of light in the cavity;an acoustic sensor that is configured to detect sound in the cavity; amagnetic field sensor that is configured to detect a change in amagnetic field in or near the cavity; and an accelerometer that isconfigured to detect movement of a component of the window.
 18. A methodfor detecting a break event, the method comprising: using a firstsensor, sensing information about a property of a window cavity, thewindow cavity bounded at least in part by a first pane and a second paneof a window assembly; and using a processor circuit and the informationabout the property of the window cavity from the first sensor,determining whether at least one of the first pane and the second paneof the window assembly is broken.
 19. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising harvesting solar energy using a solar cell coupled to thewindow assembly, and providing a power signal from the solar cell to thefirst sensor or to the processor circuit.
 20. The method of claim 18,further comprising harvesting mechanical energy using a mechanicalenergy harvesting circuit coupled to a movable component of the windowassembly, and providing a power signal from the mechanical energyharvesting circuit to the first sensor or to the processor circuit. 21.The method of claim 18, wherein the sensing information about a propertyof a window cavity includes sensing information about a pressure insidethe window cavity.